Microstructure and mechanical characteristics of surface oxide dispersion-strengthened Zircaloy-4 cladding tube

• Published in: Additive manufacturing Vol. 22; pp. 75 - 85
• Main Authors: Kim, Hyun-Gil, Kim, Il-Hyun, Jung, Yang-Il, Park, Dong-Jun, Park, Jung-Hwan, Yang, Jae-Ho, Koo, Yang-Hyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.08.2018
• Subjects: Accident tolerant fuel; Additive manufacturing; Laser processing; LOCA; ODS; Zircloy-4; Laser processing; LOCA; Accident tolerant fuel; Additive manufacturing; Zircloy-4; ODS
• ISSN: 2214-8604; 2214-7810
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addma.2018.05.002

To increase the mechanical strength of Zircaloy-4 cladding at high temperatures, partial oxide dispersion-strengthened (ODS) treatment of the cladding tube surface was achieved by using laser processing technology. The microstructural characteristics and stability of the ODS layer formed on the Zircaloy-4 cladding surface were analyzed at temperatures up to 1000 °C. Ring tensile and loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) simulation tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of the surface ODS treated Zircaloy-4 cladding tube. The formation and uniform distribution of Y2O3 particles formed in the Zr matrix were identified, and the stability of the particles was confirmed up to 1000 °C. When compared to the reference Zircaloy-4 cladding tube, the surface ODS treated Zircaloy-4 cladding tube showed improved mechanical properties at both room temperature and 500 °C, as well as under LOCA simulation conditions.